Chapter 7 The Confrontation

Imogene Scott

My breathing is labored. My feet hurt as I turn left, heading out of the front lawn into the streets. All eyes turn to me as I flee. One part of me tells me this isn't real, that the person I just spoke to isn't Damien Shaw. As I head into the dimly lit streets, I hear footsteps behind me.

Tears start to flow freely as I turn my head. Damien is sprinting after me. My heart races faster, but this time it has nothing to do with exertion, and everything to do with that look of determination on Damien's face.

I continue to walk fast, but rapidly, Damien is gaining on me. I walk for a few more yards, then I realize it's no use. I don't know what I'm running from, I don't know why I'm running. I skid to an halt, finally bringing myself to a complete stop.

A moment later, I hear Damien's hard breath hammering the cool air. I feel him move behind me. Slowly, I spin on my heel and face him. Both hands are in his hair, gripping the strands. His blue eyes are haunted, tortured. The air around us crackles with tension as we stare at one another, in silence, chests heaving, cheeks flushed.

Then Damien's gaze drops to my lips and he inches forward. He takes two steps and bites out a few words. "I missed you, Imogene. Did you miss me?"

I take one pace backward and I laugh. Icily, I demand, "What the fuck do you want from me, Damien?"

"Tell me," he repeats. His voice has lowered an octave. "Did you miss me?"

I squeeze my eyes shut and force myself to repel the pain trying to flood in. Try to stave off this ache in my chest, the ache that tells me I miss him. None of this is real, none of what I feel right now is real. It's just the pain of seeing him after all these years.

"I have never for once thought about you in three years." I manage to choke out. "After all these years? After the pain and suffering I went through, you think you can walk into my life again and ruin everything I've built? You've gotta be kidding me."

I stop my resolve from weakening as I clench my fists beside me. Of all nights, he had to come tonight. Ruin my big moment for me, the big moments I never got to have when I was with him.

I make to move forward, to leave, self-preservation seizing control. As I do, I feel desperate fingers wrap around my wrist and spin me back around.

Damien's pupils has all but consumed his crystal-blue irises. "No. Don't leave. I..." he hesitates for a moment. "I love you, Imogene."

I stagger backward, unbalanced by his words. Hot tears stream down my face. No, he doesn't love me. He never has. If he did, he wouldn't have used me for so many years then discarded me. If he did, he wouldn't have chosen my step-sister over me. If he did, he wouldn't have left me to suffer alone at my lowest. Everything he has ever done proves that he never loved me. He never has and he never will.

"Lies, Damien. More lies. I'm over all of this. I put all of this behind me. You don't get to emotionally blackmail me!" I drag in a laboured breath and force myself to raise my gaze and lock on to Damien's. His eyes are wide and racked with pain. He deserves this, he deserves to feel every facet of pain he brought to me. "I fucking hate you and I never wanna see you again. Please Damien, for my sake, stay away from me. Go away and never come back."

I wait. I wait to see what Damien has to say, but he says nothing. Instead, he backs away. His eyes travels over my face, searching for any sign of deception. When none is found, he shakes his head. A soundless "no" leaves his mouth.

Then he walks away. He turns his back on me, and he left. Like the coward he is. Like he always does. It's many minutes before I finish the strength to move from that spot.

I start to walk towards my car and I get in. I don't know how I'm able to drive home through all the conflicting emotions I feel but twenty minutes later, I walk through the door of my apartment, where Elinor is seat in the living room.

But it's only seconds after seeing me when Elinor rushes to where I'm standing, and I fall into her arms.

"Emmett called. He said Damien showed up at the opening." she whispered, stroking my hair. "I'm so sorry about you."

I finally let go of her, my sobs have subsided altogether. I take a seat on a couch and Elinor holds my hands. "Damien is bad news. Whatever happens, make sure you stay away from him. He's here to break you like he always does. He can't bare to see you happy and living your best life. It makes him miserable."

I nod my head. She's right. After all these years, he's suddenly back now? I just want to be happy with Lily, without Damien, without any intruders.

"At least he doesn't know about Lily." Elinor adds.

I manage to say. "And he never going to know about her."

Ever.